On 25 July Metro police issued an unknown number of administrative notices warning people to remove their illegal structures.
“This means that city council has decided that the illegal buildings on that land must be removed within 48 hours of the date of the notice,” said Metro spokesperson Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.
He said the only reason the shacks were still standing was because the teams responsible for enforcing the notices were still busy in other areas.
Ward 114 ward committee member for housing Thobile Dubazana said was shocked by the intended action when the community alerted her. “These people have been staying here for three years already. If city council wanted them removed it should have done so as soon as the structures where built. You can’t knock people’s homes down after three years.”
Dubazana said she spoke to various authorities who remained unfazed over the imminent evictions. Ward councillor Maureen Schneeman was unavailable for comment, as was Region C Urban Management manager Yolande Janse van Rensburg.
“I fear there may be trouble again if this is not resolved properly,” said Dubuzana.
